Ben Shapiro on the Democratic Civil War Getting Ugly

 Ben Shapiro’s latest episode zeroes in on the mess inside the Democratic Party right now. The title is direct: “The Democratic Civil War Is Getting Ugly.” It lands at a moment when the party’s internal fractures are no longer subtle.

Watch it here: [VIDEO]

The core of the piece is straightforward. The Democratic National Committee is broke—roughly $2 million in debt while the RNC sits on well over $100 million. Party leaders have resorted to asking vendors not to send bills until after the midterms. Ken Martin, the DNC chair, reportedly threw his phone at a junior aide’s desk in frustration. Donors with money are routing it around the party apparatus to candidates and outside groups. The institutional center is hollowed out.

Into that vacuum steps the Democratic Socialists of America and their orbit. Shapiro treats this as more than ordinary factional fighting. The DSA is not simply pushing the party left; it is advancing a different theory of what the country should become. Moderates like Pete Buttigieg urge the party to talk about what it is for rather than attack the radicals. Rahm Emanuel warns that the Bernie-wing nominees saddle Democrats in swing districts with positions that make general elections harder. Bernie Sanders fires back that the establishment is defending a status quo voters have already rejected.

The clearest proxy fight right now is the Michigan Senate primary. Gretchen Whitmer has endorsed Congresswoman Haley Stevens against Abdul El-Sayed. Stevens is already well to the left by national standards, yet she is treated as insufficiently pure—especially on Israel. El-Sayed carries the progressive energy, the DSA-adjacent endorsements, and a record that includes positions Shapiro flags as far outside the mainstream. Polls and prediction markets are telling different stories. The outcome will signal how far the party is willing to go in safe or lean-Democratic territory.

This is the same dynamic the blog has been tracking for weeks: the DSA’s willingness to treat American institutions as obstacles rather than inheritance, the reluctance of institutional Democrats to draw hard lines, and the practical consequences when the loudest energy in a party sits well outside the median voter. Parties that cannot resolve their internal arguments about first principles tend to lose the ability to govern or even to campaign effectively.

Shapiro’s framing is that the civil war is real and that the radicals are currently better organized and more motivated. Whether the institutional side can still impose discipline in places that matter for the 2026 map remains an open question. The Michigan primary is one early test. There will be others.

Why Democrats Fear the Socialist Wave in Wisconsin

The Democratic primary for Wisconsin governor isn't just messy—it's a national bellwether. As Lt. Gov. Sara Rodriguez's campaign imploded in a finance scandal and moderates scramble, democratic socialist state Rep. Francesca Hong is riding a wave of genuine enthusiasm. This isn't isolated. Across the country in 2026, Democratic Socialists of America (DSA)-backed candidates are scoring wins and forcing the party to confront where its real grassroots energy lives.

Source: muberr.com

Nate Silver: U.S. Patriotism Falls Behind

Nate Silver posted some eye-opening polling data right before the July 4th holiday. The takeaway? American patriotism has declined sharply and now sits below the global average. As the fireworks fade and we move into the week after Independence Day, the numbers deserve a closer look — especially with the country’s 250th anniversary on the horizon.

The Global Picture

The United States used to stand out for its strong national pride. In the 1980s, about 95% of Americans described themselves as “very” or “quite” proud of their nationality — significantly higher than most other regions.

By 2022, that figure had dropped to 78%. Many parts of the world maintained higher levels: Asia, Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East generally stayed in the 85–90% range. In a ranking of large and OECD countries, the U.S. now ranks around 34th out of 45.

The first chart shared by Silver shows the U.S. line trending steadily downward while other regions held steady or improved.

Obviously, some of this is partisan, with the Democratic numbers having fallen far more. Though independents are actually closer to Democrats on this issue than the GOP. pic.twitter.com/lV9bjtidDc

— Nate Silver (@NateSilver538) July 3, 2026

h/t Newsalert

Big Night for Democratic Socialists in New York

 Last night’s Democratic primaries in New York City delivered clear momentum for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA). Three high-profile congressional races saw Mamdani- and DSA-aligned candidates prevail, building directly on Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s 2025 upset victory and signaling a more organized push from the party’s left flank into federal office.

Democratic Socialists of America Flag via Amazon

These weren’t fringe races. They took place in safely Democratic districts where the primary winner is all but guaranteed a seat in Congress come November. The results add fresh energy (and some tension) to the national conversation about where the Democratic Party is headed heading into the 2026 midterms.

The Key Wins

NY-7 (Brooklyn-Queens area): State Assemblymember Claire Valdez, a DSA member and union organizer endorsed by Mayor Mamdani, defeated Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso and other challengers. She captured roughly 56-58% of the vote in a race framed as a test of DSA organizational strength versus more institutional progressive politics.

NY-10: Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, backed by Mamdani, ousted two-term Rep. Dan Goldman in a strong progressive showing (around 66% to 34%).

NY-13 (Upper Manhattan and the Bronx): Community organizer and DSA member Darializa Avila Chevalier defeated five-term incumbent Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Early results showed her edging out the veteran congressman in a contest that highlighted divides over issues like housing, policing, and foreign policy.

These victories are part of a broader DSA/Mamdani slate performance in New York, with multiple endorsed candidates advancing or winning across congressional, state assembly, and local races. Mamdani’s volunteer network and brand appear to have transferred real power in these low-turnout primaries.

CNN Poll: 47% of Americans Now Identify as Independents

A new CNN poll from May 2026 delivers a clear message about the state of American politics heading into the midterms: a growing number of people are rejecting both major parties.

According to the survey, 47% of Americans now consider themselves political independents. That's the highest level CNN polling has recorded in more than 10 years. Democrats sit at 27% and Republicans at 26%.

Democrats’ Strategy vs. Black Representation: The Root and IL-4

I rarely turn to The Root as a primary source for my blog, but this recent IG post caught my eye and led me down a worthwhile path. It aligns perfectly with something I’ve been meaning to explore: the ongoing battles over “majority-minority” districts and how recent court rulings are reshaping them.

Newt Gingrich on Pod Force One discussing Trump, Iran, Bill Clinton's impeachment and breaking the modern left

Note: This post was written with the assistance of AI.

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In a recent episode of Miranda Devine’s Pod Force One, former House Speaker Newt Gingrich delivered a characteristically sharp and historically grounded analysis of where American politics stands in mid-2026. With Donald Trump back in the White House and the nation engaged in conflict with Iran, Gingrich laid out a high-stakes vision for the upcoming midterms and the deeper ideological battle facing the country.

Here are the core insights from Gingrich’s appearance, condensed and organized for clarity.

National Review: How Minnesota Lost Its Mind

[VIDEO] Rich Lowry talks about Minnesota being a very liberal state and has become a hotbed of radical progressive and far-left activity. Also discussing the current politicians such as Gov. Tim Walz - whom as a result of the emerging Somali financial fraud scandal was forced to abandon his bid for a third term as MN Governor.

Also the very feckless Mayor of Minneapolis - Jacob Frey. Lowry notes incredulously that he's actually a moderate who's at odds with a very progressive and far-left city council. He seems to like to virtue signal - and he was heavy on it in 2020 after what happened to George Floyd in his city - it seems evident that even these radicals still can't stand him.

Lowry seems to think things could be even crazier. I'd rather hope not and there's a segment of the electorate that's sick of this non-sense and vote for someone who will put an end to it.

I'm an Independent

As a Black man living in Chicago, most people assume I’ll always vote Democrat. That assumption has never sat right with me. I lean Republican and right-of-center these days, but I’m not married to any party. If the right Democrat emerges—one focused on results over ideology—I’m open to crossing the aisle. Right now, though, it feels like the Democratic Party has drifted far from the concerns of everyday Americans.

To me, the modern Democratic Party is no longer the party of the working class or low-income families. It has become consumed with cultural debates—endless focus on LGBTQ+ inclusivity, questioning the definition of a woman, and prioritizing symbolic gestures over practical outcomes.

Look at the cities run by progressive Democrats for decades:

• Chicago, my home, struggles with crime, failing schools, and fiscal chaos under one-party rule.
• New York City now has a mayor who campaigned heavily on socialism and fare-free buses.
• San Francisco—a beautiful city I’ve always wanted to visit—now grapples with rampant homelessness, open drug markets, and a recent push for reparations that feels more performative than solvable.

These aren’t just anecdotes. They reflect a party that often seems more interested in ideological purity than in governing effectively.

That disconnect played a big role in my 2024 vote for Donald Trump. The Biden-Harris administration, in my view, spent more energy on DEI initiatives and global symbolism than on delivering concrete results for Americans—controlling inflation, securing the border, or keeping cities safe. I wanted leaders willing to govern, not just signal virtue. To me, Republicans—at least at the national level in that election—appeared more focused on measurable outcomes.

That said, Republicans are far from perfect. Here in Illinois, I voted twice for Governor Bruce Rauner… and I’m glad to never have to do that again. The point is simple: neither Republicans or Democrats has a monopoly on competence.

Looking ahead in Illinois, Governor J.B. Pritzker is running for a third term in 2026. Unlike Rauner, Pritzker has actually governed—he’s kept the state running, made decisions, and pushed his agenda through. But I disagree with much of that agenda. The recent law allowing assisted suicide is one example among many progressive policies enacted since 2019 that I find deeply troubling.

Could I vote for Pritzker if no strong alternative emerges? It’s possible, though unlikely. His ongoing public feud with President Trump might hurt him with some voters, but Illinois is deep blue—whether that feud matters will depend on turnout and whether voters prioritize competence over tribal loyalty.

Created by AI

I’m also open to a credible third-party or independent candidate, even if their chances are slim in this state. At the end of the day, my vote goes to whoever I believe can best do the job—whether that’s president, governor, mayor, or state legislator.

Bottom line, I don’t owe blind loyalty to Republicans or Democrats. Expecting Black voters to automatically support Democrats just because of history or identity feels outdated and condescending. I’ll support policies and people that make sense—strong economy, safe streets, good schools, personal responsibility, and common-sense governance.

If I ever run for office myself (unlikely, but never say never), I know that it's a must to pick a formal lane. Until then, I remain an independent thinker who votes for the person, not the party.

What about you? Are you locked into one party, or do you judge candidates individually? Drop your thoughts in the comments—I’d love to hear where others stand as we head into another election year.

John Anderson: Why Trump won last month with Victor David Hansen

 

[VIDEO] In talking about last month's presidential race where former Pres. Donald J. Trump received a mandate to return to the White House after a four-year break we hear one word - gaslighting. Commentator Victor David Hansen breaks it down, almost as if the Biden administration and his backers just plain were lying to the American people about what was really going on.

We hear about the many ways that Trump was able to win and how enthusiasm for Kamala Harris was just so low. Yeah she didn't have a lot of time to mount a campaign, I'll allow that. If Biden had dropped out in 2023 and the party decided on Kamala - through primaries I would expect unlike when Biden dropped out in July 2024 - would there still be any great enthusiasm?

Who knows, but listen to this interview and let me know what you think.

Donald Trump elected 47th President of the United States

 All happened on Tuesday.

I had intended to vote early but found myself doing it on election day. The results weren't surprising although I didn't expect a particularly overwhelming victory. My gut said it would be a very close election and they'd be counting for days.

Vice President Kamala Harris was a terrible candidate, but then let's be fair she had a short time to get a campaign together. How she replaced President Joe Biden as a nominee in July is a story in and of itself. Perhaps that should be studied by future politicos. Hopefully neither the Republicans or the Democrats will never, ever do that again.

At the end of the day it appears no one was motivated to vote for the first woman of color as President. The Vice President just didn't make her case very well why Americans should vote for her.

As an aside Republicans regain Senate next year and thankfully there will be a change in leadership, Mitch McConnell already stated he's stepping down. It has become apparent that he had been suffering some serious health issues in recent years.

I'm not sure what the margin is in the US House though it appears Republicans will keep control. The margin of control had been thin due to removals and resignation. And also it seemed any Republican leader in the house seems under threat of removal with what happened to Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

This recent election is viewed as a mandate. Let's see what the 45th and future 47th President will be able to do in his next four years.

NBC News

Also a political comeback, January 6, 2021 could've been a day that should've knocked the President out. And he was impeached not long after he left office. And then the court cases, Democrats liked to bring up that Trump was a convicted felon. 

It didn't matter, my two cents if you leave him alone he may just go away. They couldn't and I think his base turned out because they believed Dems were going to use every tool they could to keep him from running again and winning.

I may also add these last four years weren't great years.

Now to see how Mr. Beat will look at this election.

Matt Walsh is the man #DNCChicago

 

[VIDEO] The Democratic Nat'l Convention is over, however, now we get to watch Walsh's stellar trolling posing as an alias - the alias featured in his coming documentary Am I Racist?.

In the movie after getting kicked out of a white privilege support group he changes his appearance and becomes a character more fitting to inflitration some of these groups. Even was able to interview Robin DiAngelo author of the book White Fagility. What was his point with this movie? To expose anti-white racism perhaps the fraud that of anti-racism that really singles out a particular race.

Walsh however is somehow exposed and the Dems who know this persona and about him want him removed from their spaces. In the same way they wanted him removed in his documentary from that "support group". 

Even was able to get former CNN anchor Don Lemon to promoted the troll site project2025.com. Oh Walsh you have some major balls for this...

O'Reilly: Harris Taps MN Governor Tim Walz as Her Running Mate

 

[VIDEO] I'm not sure what to make of this running mate choice of Gov. Tim Walz for V.P. Kamala Harris.

And I just knew there was going to be some mention of Gov. Walz's response to the riots that gripped Minneapolis - Minnesota's largest city - at the end of May 2020. You will see some soundbites from his many press conferences from that time in the above video.

Minnesota is a solidly blue state and Walz has been governor of Minnesota since 2019, re-elected in 2023. Some could say this is a crumb to the radical left. Of course that being said, most voters will vote for the Presidential candidate not the running mate.

Tucker: The real reason the 'establishment" loves BLM

 

[VIDEO] Tucker Carlson interviews Omali Yeshitela of the African People's Socialist Party. Tucker would say in his full interview with Mr. Yeshitela is that what he says isn't crazy. As you see here he starts off with discussing how the 2nd Amendment was never meant for him or people like him (Black people as it were).

What if BLM rests on the idea of fear? Yeshitela discusses the idea that fear ties Black voters to the Democratic Party. That fear of Trump, Republicans in general, or fascism leads to the promise of protection from those same forces. In other words Yeshitela will claim Biden and the Dems hasn't promised Black people anything.

Feel free to watch Yeshitela's whole interview here

Timcast IRL: Dallas Mayor switches parties to become GOP

 

[VIDEO] Tim Pool discusses this news on his IRL podcast. 

On Friday, Dallas, TX mayor Eric Johnson announced he was switching parties becoming a Republican and leaving the Democratic Party. He was just elected this year to a second term as Dallas Mayor having served since 2019. He used to be a Democrat member of the Texas legislature.

From Texas Tribune:

Over the course of his mayoral tenure, Johnson has enthusiastically backed anti-crime initiatives and developed a strong bond with Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia. He won reelection without opposition in May after sewing up the city’s business donor class, who often lean Republican, as well as the Dallas Police Association, the city’s police union.

“Mayors and other local elected officials have failed to make public safety a priority or to exercise fiscal restraint,” Johnson wrote in the op-ed. “Most of these local leaders are proud Democrats who view cities as laboratories for liberalism rather than as havens for opportunity and free enterprise.”

Mayor [Not Brandon] Johnson announced this in an WSJ OP-ED which will be posted here.

I suppose this does get my attention, however, Mayor [Not Brandon] Johnson is a mayor of a large Texas city which is a Democrat stronghold there are others in Texas of course such as Austin or Houston. He seems to anticipate that he may not run again for Mayor in 2027. And perhaps in that article there is speculation that he may seek a statewide office in Texas in the future.

You have to be a Democrat in a city like Dallas, however, you want to win statewide in Texas - perhaps for Governor or US Senate - your best bet is with an R by your name.

Johnson is young enough time will tell for him! 

Shapiro: Democrat Leader's Kid Caught

 

[VIDEO] I like how Ben Shapiro puts this subject. Well so the child of a Democrat Congressional leader Katherine Clark was arrested for assault and damage to property. The child identifies as "non-binary" though noted in this article from a local Boston TV station, I'm sure Shapiro notes it and it's been noted by other conservative outlets.

How does Ben Shapiro puts it? Well this is a consequence of blurring the lines between males and females. This is a consequence of the idea that boys can be girls and girls can be boys. This means there are no boundaries, and thus it's OK to damage property or assault people.

In doing a quick google search Clark's child has been identified as anything from her daughter or her son. So I suppose even the press doesn't know how to adequately identify this child.

#HouseSpeaker 11 ballots

 Well there is some news and who knows if it's credible. California Congressman Kevin McCarthy who is the Republican leader and Speaker presumptive who's shown after three days and 11 votes for a House Speaker that he's not a shoo-in. From Politico:

Kevin McCarthy and his conservative opponents have reached a tentative breakthrough after a days-long standoff, giving the California Republican’s speaker bid a needed momentum boost.

Conservatives say they still need to look over the details of the potential package of concessions, but it’s a sign of life for McCarthy, who has struggled to show public strength after three days of 11 speaker ballots that have seen him fail to flip any of his opponents.

Importantly, while it will get McCarthy closer, it is unlikely the agreement will be enough to get him the votes he needs to win the speakership. Twenty Republicans have been routinely opposing McCarthy on the floor, leaving him more than a dozen votes short of where he needs to be to win the House’s top gavel. McCarthy will need to flip most of those votes without alienating centrists and institutionalists, who worry that he is giving away too much.

The possible deal comes after several hours of negotiations with McCarthy’s detractors and less than a day after the GOP leader made an offer that conceded to basically all of their demands — including making it easier to boot a speaker.

Florida Congressman Matt Gaetz nominated former President Trump on the floor. This is something it seems MAGA supporters want and technically the Speaker of the House doesn't necessarily have to be a sitting member of that body. It was a BOOM moment when it happened.  [VIDEO]

Now I'm somewhat aware that there were some issues coming with McCarthy, but who knew that it would take three days to still determine who'll be the next House Speaker. Routinely Hakeem Jeffries the new Democrat leader in the house - minority leader - has been getting more votes than McCarthy to take the gavel. However, a candidate needs 218 a majority of voters to be able to be the House of Representatives presiding officer.

Part of me says McCarthy needs to bow out! Part of me wants to get to the real business of the people! And I recognize this is a consequence of the non-red wave.

Timcast: Elon Musk's companies targeted by federal gov't

 

[VIDEO] Tim Pool on his IRL podcast discusses the retaliation against Elon Musk thanks to his release of information regarding the DNC and Biden campaign's collusion to censor right wing speech on his Twitter platform. Of course, back in 2020 Twitter was a publicly traded company before Musk took the platform private in 2022.

Georgia US Senate runoff - no surprise

 

[VIDEO] Raphael Warnock wins a full term in the US Senate. He defeats former NFL legend Herschel Walker in last nite's runoff election. In the November midterms both men failed to garner 51% percent of the vote.

Warnock who is the pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church is known for his pro-life positions and has stated as much on several occasions. Walker I just characterize as not very quick on his feet had some baggage during most of the 2022 campaign which includes him masquerading as law enforcements and allegations that he's paid for abortions.

With this said Warnock was the incumbent and was in a strong position anyway and I wasn't sure Walker was going to be able to overcome that. He didn't.

And now we see a congratulatory tweet from Warnock and my own alma mater...

Congratulations to our brother and now 2x Georgia Senator, Dr. @ReverendWarnock '91!! We are proud of the continued example of integrity, service, & leadership that you set for our students, Georgia, and our nation.

Students, your vote ALWAYS matters. ONWARD. #EtFactaEstLux pic.twitter.com/XlvZyjvj8r

— Morehouse College (@Morehouse) December 7, 2022

Nancy Pelosi steps down

 While she will remain in the US House of Representatives she will stand down as leader of the House Democrat caucus. That means the Democrats will have a new minority leader. After 2010 when Democrats lost control of the House she stood down as Speaker and was minority although she did regain the speakership after 2018.

Probably a good thing for Democrats that means they will need new leadership, however, I'd be worried about the caucus going into a further leftward direction.